The exclusive Congressional health club in Washington D.C. which is subsidized by taxpayer dollars, is closed to the public - only members of Congress are granted access. As with other taxpayer supported operations like the national parks and Head Start, when the government shut down the exclusive congressional gym was subject to closure too but. . .
Unlike HeadStart the national parks and the thousands of furloughed government employees, the posh congressional healthclub got a reprieve because congress has deemed it "essential", according to a congressional aide.
The healthclub was pretty much unknown to the public until former congressional representative Anthony Weiner put it on the map with his infamous photos some of which were shot in the locker room of the congressional gym.
The cost the public shoulders for this exclusive club has been kept under wraps. In a video dating back to the Anthony Weiner scandal, ABC News attempted to gain access to the club but they were turned away. More on that report and video Congressional Gym Remains Open.